Timing mechanism

Abstract

A pair of cooperating bevel gears cooperate to provide a coupling means between a constant speed drive means and a cam means. A motor is carried by a U-shaped frame which can be inserted into a timer housing, the U-shaped frame having means to align coupling means to provide a second motor drive for the timer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A timing mechanism comprising: a. cam means and switch means responsive to a rotation of said cam means,   b. constant speed drive means,   c. first and second cooperating bevel gears, and   d. first coupling means coupling said first bevel gear to said constant speed drive means and a second coupling means coupling said second bevel gear to said cam means.   
     
     
       2. A timing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said first coupling means includes a one-way clutch. 
     
     
       3. A timing mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said first bevel gear is carried on an output shaft of said constant speed drive means. 
     
     
       4. A timing mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said first bevel gear includes a hub portion and a recess adjacent thereto and said one way clutch comprises: a. a ring fixedly carried on an output shaft of said constant speed drive means, and   b. a coil spring carried about said hub portion and said ring having an end extending into and carried by said recess.   
     
     
       5. A timing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said second coupling means includes a gear carried by said cam means and a spur gear coupling said second bevel gear to said gear. 
     
     
       6. A timing mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said spur gear and said second bevel gear are unitarily constructed. 
     
     
       7. A timing mechanism comprising: a. a cam means and switch means responsive to a rotation of said cam means,   b. an escapement means coupling a first constant speed drive means to said cam means so as to rotate said cam means in a step by step manner when energy is applied to said first constant speed drive means,   c. a second constant speed drive means,   d. first and second cooperating bevel gears, and   e. first constant coupling means including a one-way clutch means coupling said first bevel gear to said second constant speed drive means, and a second constant speed coupling means coupling said second bevel gear to said cam means.   
     
     
       8. A timing mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said first bevel gear includes a hub portion carried by an output shaft of said second constant speed drive means, and a recess adjacent said hub portion said one-way clutch comprising: a. a ring fixedly carried by said output shaft, and   b. a coil spring carried about said hub portion and said ring and having an end extending into and carried by said recess.   
     
     
       9. A timing mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said second coupling means includes a gear carried by said cam means and a spur gear unitarily constructed with said second bevel gear. 
     
     
       10. In a timing mechanism wherein a cam means is rotated in response to a first motor to selectively open and close switches, a. a housing enclosing at least a portion of said timing mechanism, said housing including at least two opposed walls separating top and bottom plates and at least one open end,   b. a U-shaped plate having a base portion and upstanding legs,   c. a second motor carried by an outer surface of said base portion and having an output means extending through an aperture in said base portion,   d. said upstanding legs slideably engaging said walls to insert said plate into said open end to substantially close same,   e. coupling means carried by said housing engaging said output means and coupled to said cam means,   f. alignment means maintaining said coupling means in operating engagement with said output means, and   g. fastening means fastening said U-shaped plate to said housing.   
     
     
       11. In a timing mechanism according to claim 10 wherein said output means is a first bevel gear and said coupling means includes a second bevel gear engaging said first bevel gear. 
     
     
       12. In a timing mechanism according to claim 11 wherein said output means further includes a one-way clutch. 
     
     
       13. In a timing mechanism according to claim 10 wherein said alignment means includes at least one flange extending from opposed sides of said bottom portion of said plate, one each engaging said top and bottom plates of said housing. 
     
     
       14. In a timing mechanism according to claim 10 wherein said fastening means includes at least one tang extending from said opposed side walls and engaging said bottom portion of said U-shaped plate.